Young Africans ready to start competing against Tanzania Prisons – Silva

Young Africans assistant coach Matthew Silva says despite not having won in the last four Mainland Premier League matches, the truth is that Tanzania Prisons is a competitive team and their match will be difficult on Saturday.

The Citizens will be looking to consolidate their lead at the top of the league table against a side who are winless from their last four matches including the first-round meeting between two sides which Young Africans won 1-0.

 

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The reverse fixture will be played at KMC Stadium on Saturday and Young Africans will head into the battle as the favourites to seal a double over their opponents. Since beating Namungo FC 3-2 on February 14, Prisons have struggled to win matches.

They lost 2-0 against Young Africans rivals Simba SC, drew 0-0 against Azam FC, lost 1-0 against Young Africans, and lost 2-1 against Singida Black Stars.

Young Africans have overcome small challenges

“We believe in all our players. Our team’s excellent results are due to our unity as a team. We have overcome the small challenges that have faced us. Our mission is to return to our best days of victory. We have a great team that can do that despite the pressures here and there,” Silva, who was speaking on behalf of head coach Pedro Goncalves, told Pan-African Football.

“Our team does not have any systematic challenges; I can accept that injuries have caused our team to lack a good competitive balance. We are the best team currently in the league where we have scored a lot of goals and allowed few goals. Systematic challenges have arisen from either the difficulty of the schedule, injuries and stadium infrastructure. We are not at the top of the league unfortunately.”

Silva added: “Our players have returned from international matches; we are grateful that they have all returned safely and it has been a good opportunity to sit with the entire group of players to plan the best strategies to face Tanzania Prisons.

“We are ready to fight, we know we are going to meet a very strong team. Prisons in their four matches have met tough opponents, they have certainly had enough competition.”

In his message to Young Africans fans ahead of the fixture, Silva said: “I expect to see citizens coming to the stadium in large numbers. Not just coming in large numbers, they should cheer to give the team motivation.

“Fans are an important pillar for any team looking for results, I should not be greedy for favors because Yanga fans have been with us shoulder to shoulder whenever we needed them. We know our home fans are very eager to see us.”

For his part, goalkeeper Abutwalib Mshery, said the league has improved and the teams have improved so Young Africans should not underrate Tanzania Prisons despite their run of four matches without a win.

“Our coaches have done a good job on the training ground, our fans should come out in large numbers, there will be fantastic football from us. We assure the citizens that we will go and fight for their happiness,” said Mshery.

“We know that the last few games did not go as we expected. It is time now to provide entertainment for the citizens and forget the past.”

He added: “All Yanga players are here because they are fighting for the team, any goalkeeper who gets a chance should do well in the game, currently our league has become very good. Many teams have improved. The coaches have made a correct assessment of the previous games and worked on it.”

Prisons ready to defeat Young Africans

Tanzania Prisons coach Shadrack Nsajigwa maintained the match against Yanga is important for them and they need a win and if they miss three points, then even one point will do.

“We are ready for tomorrow’s game with Yanga, and all we need is a win, if we don’t get a win then a draw will be good for us,” explained Nsajigwa.

While Young Africans are sitting top of the table with 38 points from 16 matches, Tanzania Prisons are sitting second from relegation spot with 13 points from 17 matches.